Maresca says 'feeling is fantastic' among Man City squad
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QuizMaresca says 'feeling is fantastic' among Man City squadImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager Senior football correspondentPublished2 hours agoManchester City head coach Enzo Maresca says the "feeling is fantastic" among his players and they "don't care too much about the noise" surrounding the club after it was found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against it by the Premier League. The club's international players returned to training on Thursday, nine days after the Premier League published a damning report that stated the club had used "sham" contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. BBC Sport reported this week that Maresca would address the players upon their return to domestic duty after news of the verdict broke while the majority of the squad were away with their respective nations. It is understood the City head coach asked his players not to allow the crisis that has engulfed the club to affect their attitude and focus as the Premier League campaign gets back under way this weekend. "The feeling is fantastic, to be honest," Maresca said in an in-house interview when asked about the mood among his squad prior to their trip to face Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 BST). "The players are excited for the next two games. But especially they are excited because in this moment we are top of the league. The players are just focused on that. "They know what we can control is the football side - they are not worried at all about different things. "They know their profession and they know that the noise is there, but they don't care too much about the noise. They are just focused in this moment on how we can beat Liverpool and how, together with the fans, we can try to win in Anfield." Maresca added he felt "calm" and his squad trusts the club "completely". City have launched an appeal and have publicly maintained their innocence. The private communication to those with links to the playing staff at City has been equally as emphatic, it is understood. Speaking to Sky Sports, striker Erling Haaland echoed his manager's sentiments, saying: "I care a lot about this place. I spent my first four years here, it's a special place for us. I care a lot about City and the fans. I am a fan myself. I feel with them. "The fans will have a good time on Sunday - we have to stick together. We have to stay with each other and stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to smile. Stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and enjoy the situation. "We have to stick together and spread the love to each other. Enjoy the ride and smile." Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Erling Haaland is the leading scorer in the new Premier League season with five goals Published10 hours agoClubs fear political interference in Man City appeal What have other Premier League managers said?As Premier League football returns following a three-week hiatus, rival clubs are proving reluctant to let their managers speak about the City verdict publicly. Managers and head coaches - including Maresca on Friday - will be asked to comment on the matter during compulsory pre-match news conferences. But it is understood a number of clubs have already taken a clear stance for their managers not to comment. Some Premier League news conferences were held on Thursday, but Coventry boss Frank Lampard, Leeds head coach Daniel Farke and Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle all steered clear of commenting at length on the matter. Jaissle said: "I think as a manager of another club I am not able to judge and it is not my job. Especially it is not in my job description. "The authorities are taking care of it, a process will be followed, and speaking on behalf of the whole club it is our job to focus on our job and preparing for [the match against Coventry on] Monday. "On behalf of the club, we should focus on what we can influence. Just focus on what we can do better and what we can influence on the pitch." Lampard, who played for Manchester City in the 2014-15 season, said: "What can you say when an appeal is going on? I'm not inside the story, I'm outside it completely. "I played for Man City a long time ago now for one year, but we'll wait and see what the result of the appeal is and onwards. I don't know the timelines at all. "I'm outside the loop. I'm not dodging the question, I just don't feel it's an answer for me to give." Asked what the punishment should be, Lampard said: "It's not my role to talk about a punishment or how much. I just can't answer that one." 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Source: BBC Sport
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